Death toll from Mardan funeral blast rises to 35
Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 2:29:54 by Tahir Khan
Death toll from a suicide attack at a funeral in Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province rose to 35 on Wednesday after seven victims died overnight in hospital, doctors said.
At least 30 people, including a provincial lawmaker of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI), were killed Tuesday when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives during a funeral procession in Sher Garh, some 20 kilometers from Mardan city.
Five persons succumbed to their injuries today, taking the death toll to 35.
Moreover, at least 52 other people were also injured in the blast, said Jaffar Khan, the Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of police in Mardan.
Worshippers were offering funeral prayers when the loud explosion ripped through the procession. DIG Jaffar Khan confirmed that the explosion was a suicide attack.
Former MNA and central leader of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) Maulana Muhammad Qasim was leading the funeral prayers but survived the attack.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the blast.
PTI chairman Imran Khan condemned the bombing, and called the attack on a funeral “truly shocking”.
“(I) strongly condemn the blast at funeral in Mardan & at the tragic loss of lives including our MPA Imran Mohmand. Our prayers go to the families of the Shaheeds (martyrs),” said the PTI chief in messages posted on social media website Twitter. “Targeting a funeral is truly shocking.”
Khan’s PTI-led KP government has announced cash compensation for those killed and injured in the deadly suicide blast.
Those killed in the blast would be given Rs.300,000 and those injured Rs.100,000.
Eleven people injured in the blast have been shifted to Peshawar for further treatment. The condition of at least two is stated to be critical.
Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=40649
Posted by Tahir Khan
on Jun 19 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan.
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